WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
According to a USDA press release, the following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Brooklyn, New York-based Steven Produce King Inc., for failing to pay a $38,583 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Shy S. Yosofov was listed as the Officer, Director, and Major Stockholder of the business.
- Salt Lake City, Utah-based New Taikong Wholesale Co. Inc., for failing to pay a $109,957 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Tran Milan was listed as the Officer, Director, and Major Stockholder of the business.
- South El Monte, California-based Southern California Produce Inc., for failing to pay a $12,104 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Paul Tsan was listed as the Officer, Director, and Major Stockholder of the business.
- Kenilworth, New Jersey-based Foodland Distributors Inc., for failing to pay a $17,830 award in favor of a New Jersey seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Glen D. Walters was listed as the Officer, Director, and Major Stockholder of the business.
USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA-approval.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. Its experts also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $140 million.
NEW YORK, NY - D’Arrigo Brothers, a full service distributor of fresh produce in the Northeast, is looking to bring focus to sides this Thanksgiving, calling on its customers to give thanks for the fruits and vegetables that make up so much of a Thanksgiving meal.
“For far too long, some of the most exciting produce of the season has been forced to play the role of simple accompaniment to a turkey that hogs center stage on so many Thanksgiving tables, and that has to stop. Americans need to realize how much of the meal is comprised of all that is NOT turkey,” said Marketing Director Gabriela D’Arrigo, in a press release.
The company is keen to highlight some of the ways in which fruits and veggies are already a big part of our holiday experience:
- Cranberries enjoy an annual harvest of almost 860 million pounds—five times the weight of the Empire State Building
- 40 million green bean casseroles are expected to be served this Thanksgiving, 60 million pounds of the side—more than the weight of the Intrepid Air/Sea/Space Museum
- More than 3 billion pounds of sweet potatoes will be harvested this year—the weight of 36,000 NYC subway car
- Approximately 1.31 billion pounds of pumpkin are produced annually, and they’re made into the roughly 50 million pumpkin pies eaten each Thanksgiving—enough pie to stretch from Harlem to the Battery and back 315 times
- To meet the needs of Brussel sprouts enthusiasts each Thanksgiving, the U.S. turns out 32,000 tons of the vegetable each year, the weight of 142 Statues of Liberty
- Celery is key for stuffing. The U.S. produces 950,000 tons of celery every year—the weight of two Freedom Towers
- Carrots wind up in stuffing, salads, casseroles, and on their own. 2.3 billion pounds of the year-round staple are harvested each year; if laid out they would reach around the circumference of the world—24,874 miles
Retailers looking to boost sales this season can take note of the enormous opportunities veggies offer them and help prove that they don't play second fiddle to turkey.
For more on all things produce, check back with AndNowUKnow.
SACRAMENTO, CA – No matter if your idea of Thanksgiving fun is preparing a festive spread, gorging on that festive spread, or simply relaxing and spending time with your loved ones, ANUK wants to know how you’re celebrating.
So, just what and who are you grateful for? Post your pictures on Instagram with the #ANUKThanksgiving hashtag to have your most memorable moments featured as part of our Yearbook next week. Or, send your Thanksgiving-minded photos by emailing us directly at [email protected].
Whether your family throws down on Thanksgiving with a pumpkin pie eating contest, a collected viewing of the big game, or heading out on the town with friends not often seen, we’re looking to honor the names and faces of produce along with those they hold dear.
As the industry prepares to convene with family and friends, or maybe just enjoy some well-deserved time off, ANUK wishes you safe travels and a tasty and produce-filled holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!
DES MOINES, IA - When you think of hot retail markets, maybe Des Moines, Iowa, isn’t the first place that comes to mind. Then again, maybe it should be. Large-scale Midwestern retail chain, Hy-Vee, has reportedly been drawing the eyes of more investors in recent days, including those of local Des Moines real estate mogul, Richard Hurd. The man behind some of the region's largest retail moves has just acquired seven Hy-Vee-owned properties for $61 million, right after acquiring another seven earlier this spring for $82 million.
Purchased from American Realty Capital, a New York real estate firm, Hurd’s acquisition includes two grocery stores in West Des Moines, as well as stores in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, and Kansas City. Two of the company’s convenience stores were also included in the $61 million purchase. According to an article by the Des Moines Register, Hy-Vee will continue to lease the buildings and operate its grocery stores under Hurd’s ownership.
These purchases, the Des Moines Register says, were the two largest of Hurd’s career, totaling $143 million, and that’s not all the mogul has shelled out trying to gather up a squadron of Hy-Vee stores. In total, Hurd Real Estate Services owns 18 Hy-Vee grocery stores and 12 Hy-Vee gas stations.
So, why Hy-Vee?
“They are a leader in their market, and we have a great relationship with them,” Hurd said of Hy-Vee. In the past, company officials have revealed that Hy-Vee often uses that strategy of selling stores and re-leasing them from the new owners as a way to free up cash for operations.
Hurd also noted that Hy-Vee and other Midwestern properties are part of his strategy to offset the sale of properties in the Sun Belt, generally meaning the area of the U.S. spanning from the Southeast to the Southwest. In the past year, Hurd said he has sold about 10 properties in the region as a response to West Coast investors driving up real estate prices.
“The Sun Belt markets have been very robust, so if we have an opportunity to sell there, we’ll sell,” he told the source. “So, we’re trying to bring things closer to home.”
Hy-Vee is a chain of more than 240 supermarkets, and employs over 82,000 people as one of the largest private employer in the state of Iowa. The company has annual sales over $9.3 billion.
Will we see more investors clamoring to be a part of the Des Moines real estate market as we head into 2017? Time will tell, and when it does, so will AndNowUKnow.
VANCOUVER, CANADA – Making moves to further its presence in Western Canada, the Oppenheimer Group has announced a recent addition to its sales team. With an eye on strengthening its full-service marketing and distribution, Oppy has appointed Maryam Ahoo as Sales Representative in its Calgary location.
Maryam joined the Oppy team at the end of last month, bringing with her a wealth of sales and marketing experience, along with educational qualifications. Most recently, Maryam worked as a Membership Development Representative with agri-business trade association Farmers of North America.
In July of last year, Maryam presented at the 20th International Farm Management Congress in Quebec. At the same time, Maryam published a thesis on supply chain management, and participated in case study research on the role of fresh fruit and vegetables within a top Western Canadian retailer. These experiences, stated Oppy, uniquely prepared Maryam for her sales role at Oppy.
“We are excited to welcome someone with Maryam’s unique blend of education and practical experience to our Calgary sales team,” said Steve Young, Oppy’s Director of Canadian Sales. “Her knowledge and expertise position her well to enhance our service to customers throughout the Prairie region.”
According to a press release, Maryam recently received her Masters of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Saskatchewan. There, Maryam focused on agri-business and marketing, while also serving as a research assistant and teaching assistant in the University’s Department of Bio-resource Policy, Business, and Economics.
Maryam received her Bachelor’s degree in Agri-business from the University of Tehran, Iran. Afterwards, she went on to receive a number of positions in the agribusiness sector. This included Gooshtiran Food, where Maryam oversaw aspects of procurement, production, logistics, and distribution.
As Oppy continues to further bolster its Calgary team, the company is offering Oppy’s full assortment of produce through the location. This includes a focus on kiwifruit, apples, melons, cucumbers, and more.
UNITED KINGDOM - As price wars continue to rage across key retail markets here and abroad, Lidl is embarking on a holiday strategy that puts the tags in the hands of the consumers.
The German-based retailer launched a new U.K. campaign called the Social Price Drop this morning, Nov. 22, well-named as it asks consumers to vote on select items’ prices during the holiday season via Twitter.
“Today’s launch of the Social Price Drop is a first for any supermarket in the U.K., and we’re incredibly excited about giving our customers the power on Twitter to lower the price of some of our finest festive products,” said Georgina Hall, Head of Communications at Lidl U.K., according to source, The Drum News.
The campaign follows a special focus on fresh produce in stores over the holidays, according to the report, and will flag socially-driven price cuts with special price tickets.
Lidl, known as a discount grocer, has been working to further its footprint both in the U.K. and in the U.S., where its plans a sizeable store launch come 2018.
This Christmas, the more you tweet, the more the price drops. So get tweeting...! #LidlSurprises Learn more here: https://t.co/wEtE7YhrEz pic.twitter.com/9kPpKktolo
— Lidl UK (@LidlUK) November 21, 2016
Could this strategy from the rapidly-expanding retailer spark a holiday trend for others looking to hook cost-conscious, Twitter-savvy consumers?
Lower prices is a key focus for many of the big names in grocery; Walmart, Kroger, and Amazon have all been named in recent months as banners focused on providing the best price range for fresh items and beyond.
The campaign also comes with celebrity backing, enlisting cast members from popular TV shows to fuel the Twitter conversation, but it is giving consumers control, Hall said, that really drives the move.
Love this! The more you tweet #LidlSurprises #Lobster the more the price drops in store! @LidlUK #ad https://t.co/2Dh7ejtu05
— Jeffrey Brazier (@JeffBrazier) November 21, 2016
“Christmas is a very expensive time of year for shoppers up and down the country, and as a retailer at the heart of Britain’s communities, our ambition is to put the control back into the hands of consumers, and save them even more in the run up to Christmas,” Hall said.
With Europe often sparking buy-side and consumer trends, it will be interesting to see if this sets in motion similar social media moves in Stateside markets and more.
TEMPLE, PA - With blendability initiatives, value-added innovations, and a diverse range of variety options, the mushroom category is experiencing an incredible amount of growth and evolution. One company at the forefront of these developments is Giorgio Fresh, who recently announced an extension to its popular stuffed mushroom product line. The company has introduced two new delicious and different dining options.
“You can’t pick a better stuffed mushroom,” Kris Kaczmarczyk, Regional and National Account Manager, tells me. “Our goal is bring more value to the retail and foodservice community while driving sales and bringing innovative food offerings to market. With flavor and quality top-of-mind, we are positioned for continued growth across our program.”
These new offerings, Kaczmarczyk suggests, are proof-positive examples of Giorgio’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and a management philosophy centered around “Kaizen,” a focus on “continuous improvement,” and “obsession with detail and perfection.”
Giorgio, a third-generation family-owned company reputed to have “America’s favorite mushroom,” now offers two new value-added varieties of stuffed mushroom—each, according to Kaczmarczyk, a healthy and versatile option suitable for serving as a satisfying-yet-light lunch or dinner served with a salad or side dish—or even as a complement to a heartier entrée.
Giorgio had previously produced several varieties of stuffed mushroom–Imitation Bacon and Cheddar, Imitation Crab Seasoning, and Artichoke and Spinach. The addition of two new flavors, Mediterranean and Fiesta stuffed mushrooms, further diversifies its offering and grows its brand as well as its market share in the mushroom industry.
The Mediterranean stuffed mushroom features tangy feta cheese, red bell peppers, garlic, and other quality ingredients, while the Fiesta variety includes pepper jack and Fresco cheeses, spicy jalapeños, chili peppers, and other complimentary flavors. The company says both varieties were extremely popular when sampled at the PMA Fresh Summit in Orlando.
UNITED STATES - As the buy-side continues to compete in a compacted market, some key retailers are making the top of the list in four states as the largest bringers of revenue.
To cultivate the list, Business Insider looked to the highest-ranked companies headquartered in their respective states from Fortune’s 1,000 List for 2015.
The four retailers, Walmart, Albertsons, Costco, and Kroger, each make number one in their headquartered states based on revenue, amongst other familiar corporate giants like Nike, CVS, and FedEx.
As for the regions in which these grocery sellers are making their hometowns proud:
- Walmart - Arkansas
- Kroger - Ohio
- Idaho - Albertsons
- Washington - Costco Wholesale
The first two might come as little surprise, as Kroger and Walmart both tied recently as top companies for Kantar Retail’s 2016 US PoweRanking® survey, which evaluates best-in-class among retailers when it comes to distinguishing themselves among key areas and manufacturer-retailer business relationships.
Walmart, too, has recently implemented further focus on fresh, with a recent announcement of intentions to double down its commitment to local produce and a new food safety technology.
As all these names continue to plan for strategic growth in fresh and beyond, what will we see as we make our way into 2017?
AndNowUKnow will be sure to keep you in the loop for the buy-side and beyond.
CARIBBEAN & CENTRAL AMERICA – As well over half of Northern America prepares to celebrate the upcoming holidays this week, it looks as though our neighbors to the South may have a possible hurricane on their hands. A tropical depression in the Caribbean Sea is ramping up to become Tropical Storm Otto.
"The depression will begin to drift in a general westward direction at midweek and should become Tropical Storm Otto, prior to moving inland over Central America later this week," stated AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski.
Tropical Depression Sixteen, soon to be Otto, formed early this morning and is located in the southwestern region of the Caribbean Sea. As the storm gains strength, authorities have stated that is possible the storm will not only reach hurricane status but also make landfall.
AccuWeather reported that the storm’s range of possible contact with land ranges from western Panama to northern Nicaragua. Authorities stated that once the system progresses and gains a strong circulation center a more definitive path will become apparent, along with areas to receive the greatest impact.
As the storm gains strength into the weekend, heavy rainfall and high winds are expected throughout Central America. Northern Colombia will receive heavy rainfall. Areas spanning from eastern Panama, to Honduras, to El Salvador will have a heightened risk of flooding and high winds.
Authorities are warning the affected regions of possible power outages from high winds, and risk of flooding due to the slow moving nature of the prospective Tropical Storm Otto.
As the tropical depression moves towards its likely status as Tropical Storm Otto, perhaps even graduating to a hurricane, AndNowUKnow will keep you updated.
PORTERVILLE, CA - With the organic produce sector booming, retailers are looking for tips to promote and merchandise product now more than ever. That’s why Homegrown Organic Farms (HGO) is offering a full line of resources along with its “Committed to Caring” program to help retailers boost category sales.
“Consumers love to know where their food is coming from, and who the farmer is, so it’s a great opportunity to showcase the source of our fruit!” says Cherie France, Marketing Manager of HGO. “We help bridge the gap between the consumers and their growers, and we love to help folks make that connection.”
List of tools in the HGO merchandising and marketing program include:
The Grower Connection
Includes grower stories, photos, and videos for the company's customers to add to their in-store or online marketing/merchandising.
Display Bin
Available to use on the floor of the produce department to create more shelf space, and also generate more organic sales. To be used in conjunction with POS for greater impact.
Social Media
The company is active and promoting organic fruit on all critical social media platforms to help retailers juice up category sales and encourage collaboration.
“We pride ourselves in the fact that we’ve always been a market leader with regard to these topics, and our customers have come to recognize this. We have been able to spend the time and effort affirming and directing these conversations, with an established reputation for valuing these important issues ahead of the curve,” France continued.
According to HGO, these tools have not only aided in category growth, but an increase in awareness of social responsibility in food. Telling the stories through its “Committed to Caring” program—which showcases the company's efforts to care for the land, environment, and communities which its product comes from—has seen customer response as outstanding while transparency continues to be a significant influence for purchasing.
For the latest in fresh produce philanthropy, check back in with AndNowUKnow.